Stack-type semiconductor package and electronic system including the same

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a stack-type semiconductor package includes preparing a lower printed circuit board including a plurality of interconnections and a plurality of ball lands for connection on an upper surface thereof. One or more first chips, which are electrically connected to the plurality of interconnections and sequentially stacked, are mounted on the lower printed circuit board. A lower molded resin compound is formed on the lower printed circuit board to cover the first chips, and is formed to have via holes exposing the ball lands for connection. An upper chip package, under which solder balls are formed, is aligned so that the solder balls correspond to the via holes of the lower molded resin compound, respectively. The solder balls are reflown to form connection conductors filling the via holes. A stack-type semiconductor package structure and an electronic system including the same are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 12/201,160filed on Aug. 29, 2008, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,851,259 on Dec.14, 2010, and which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) from KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2007-0088363, filed on Aug. 31, 2007, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to a semiconductorpackage, a method of forming the same, and an electronic systemincluding the same, and more particularly, to a stack-type semiconductorpackage, a method of forming the same, and an electronic systemincluding the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to expand capacities and functions, integrity density of asemiconductor package is getting increased in a wafer state, and asemiconductor package, in which two or more semiconductor chips orsemiconductor packages are integrated into one, is generalized.Expanding the capacities and functions of a semiconductor device in awafer state requires considerable equipment investment and costs in aprocess of manufacturing wafers, and has a lot of problems that may becaused during the processes to be solved.

However, after semiconductor chips are completely fabricated,integrating two or more semiconductor chips or two or more semiconductorpackages into one can be accomplished in a process of assembling asemiconductor package without solving the above problems. Also, comparedto the method of expanding the capacities and functions in a waferstate, the method can be achieved with low equipment investment andcost, and thus research into an integrated-type semiconductor packagesuch as System In Package (SIP), Multi Chip Package (MCP), and PackageOn Package (POP) is actively progressing in the semiconductor devicemanufacturing field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept provides a stack-typesemiconductor package capable of electrically connecting a lowersemiconductor package to an upper semiconductor package, high pin-countfor improving integration density in stacking, and preventing a bridgedefect that is caused when neighboring solder balls are in contact witheach other and a non-wet defect, which causes upper solder balls not tobe in contact with lower semiconductor package, a method of forming thesame, and an electronic system including the same.

Additional aspects and utilities of the present general inventiveconcept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bypractice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the generalinventive concept may be achieved by providing a stack-typesemiconductor package includes a lower printed circuit board having aplurality of interconnections and a plurality of ball lands forconnection on an upper surface thereof. One or more first chips, whichare electrically connected to the plurality of interconnection andsequentially stacked, are disposed on the lower printed circuit board. Alower molded resin compound is disposed on the lower printed circuitboard to cover the first chips. Connection conductors passing throughthe lower molded resin compound to be in contact with the ball lands forconnection are disposed. An upper printed circuit board including lowerpads that are in contact with upper surfaces of the connectionconductors is disposed on the lower molded resin compound. One or moresecond chips, which are electrically connected to the upper printedcircuit board and sequentially stacked, are disposed on the upperprinted circuit board. An upper molded resin compound covering the upperprinted circuit board having the second chips is disposed.

The lower printed circuit board, the first chips, and the lower moldedresin compound may constitute a lower chip package, and the upperprinted circuit board, the second chips, and the upper molded resincompound may constitute an upper chip package.

One or more intermediate chip packages may be further included betweenthe lower chip package and the upper chip package, wherein theintermediate chip package may be electrically connected to the upperchip package through an intermediate connection conductor.

Electrodes may be disposed under the lower printed circuit board.

The chips may be connected to the printed circuit board in a wirebonding structure or a flip-chip structure.

The lower molded resin compound may have a planar upper surface.

The lower molded resin compound may have an upper surface having a stepdifference, and upper regions of the lower molded resin compoundcorresponding to the first chips may have upper surfaces higher thanother regions.

The molded resin compound may include an epoxy molded compound.

The connection conductors may be materials including tin (Sn).

The method includes preparing a lower printed circuit board including aplurality of interconnections and a plurality of ball lands forconnection on an upper surface thereof. One or more first chips, whichare electrically connected to the plurality of interconnections andsequentially stacked, are mounted on the lower printed circuit board. Alower molded resin compound is formed on the lower printed circuit boardto cover the first chips, and is formed to have via holes exposing theball lands for connection. An upper chip package, under which solderballs are formed, is aligned so that the solder balls correspond to thevia holes of the lower molded resin compound, respectively. The solderballs are reflown to form connection conductors filling the via holes.

Forming the lower molded resin compound may include covering a moldhaving pins that are in contact with the ball lands for connection onthe lower printed circuit board having the first chips. Then, a moltenlower molded resin compound may be injected into one side of the mold.The molten lower molded resin compound may be flown in an oppositedirection where the molten lower molded resin compound is injected tofill spaces between the lower printed circuit board and the mold andharden the molten lower molded resin compound. The mold may be removedto form via holes that expose the ball lands for connection,respectively.

Forming the upper chip package may include preparing an upper printedcircuit board including lower pads. Then, one or more second chips,which are electrically connected to the upper printed circuit board andsequentially stacked, may be formed on the upper printed circuit board,and an upper molded resin compound covering the upper printed circuitboard having the second chips may be formed. Solder balls may be formedto correspond to the lower pads, respectively.

The lower printed circuit board, the first chips, and the lower moldedresin compound may constitute a lower chip package.

The method may further include stacking one or more intermediate chippackages between the lower chip package and the upper chip package usingan intermediate connection conductor.

Electrodes may be formed under the lower printed circuit board afterforming the lower molded resin compound.

The first chips may be formed to be connected to the interconnections ofthe lower printed circuit board in a wire bonding structure or aflip-chip structure.

The lower molded resin compound may be formed to have a planar uppersurface.

The lower molded resin compound may be formed to have an upper surfacehaving a step difference, and upper regions of the lower molded resincompound corresponding to the first chips may be formed to have uppersurfaces higher than other regions.

The molded resin compound may include an epoxy molded compound.

The connection conductors may be formed of materials including Sn.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the generalinventive concept may also be achieved by providing an electronic systemincluding a processor, and an input/output unit and one or morestack-type semiconductor packages which perform data communication withthe processor, the stack-type semiconductor package includes a lowerprinted circuit board having a plurality of interconnections and aplurality of ball lands for connection on an upper surface thereof. Oneor more first chips, which are electrically connected to the pluralityof interconnections and sequentially stacked, are disposed on the lowerprinted circuit board. A lower molded resin compound is disposed on thelower printed circuit board to cover the first chips. Connectionconductors passing through the lower molded resin compound to be incontact with the ball lands for connection are disposed. An upperprinted circuit board including lower pads that are in contact withupper surfaces of the connection conductors is disposed on the lowermolded resin compound. One or more second chips, which are electricallyconnected to the upper printed circuit board and sequentially stacked,are disposed on the upper printed circuit board. An upper molded resincompound covering the upper printed circuit board having the secondchips is disposed.

The lower printed circuit board, the first chips, and the lower moldedresin compound may constitute a lower chip package, and the upperprinted circuit board, the second chips, and the upper molded resincompound may constitute an upper chip package.

One or more intermediate chip packages may be further included betweenthe lower chip package and the upper chip package, wherein theintermediate chip package may be electrically connected to the upperchip package through an intermediate connection conductor.

The lower chip package may be a logic package, and the intermediate chippackage and the upper chip package may be memory packages.

A board, in which the processor and the stack-type semiconductor packageare mounted, may be further included.

Electrodes disposed under the lower printed circuit board may be furtherincluded, wherein the lower printed circuit board may be electricallyconnected to the board through the electrodes.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the generalinventive concept may also be achieved by providing a memory moduleincludes a board body including a plurality of tabs at one side, andstack-type semiconductor packages mounted on the board body in an arrayof two or more columns. Here, each of the stack-type semiconductorpackages includes a lower printed circuit board having a plurality ofinterconnections and a plurality of ball lands for connection on anupper surface thereof. One or more first chips, which are electricallyconnected to the plurality of interconnections and sequentially stacked,are disposed on the lower printed circuit board. A lower molded resincompound is disposed on the lower printed circuit board to cover thefirst chips. Connection conductors passing through the lower moldedresin compound to be in contact with the ball lands for connection aredisposed. An upper printed circuit board including lower pads that arein contact with upper surfaces of the connection conductors is disposedon the lower molded resin compound. One or more second chips, which areelectrically connected to the upper printed circuit board andsequentially stacked, are disposed on the upper printed circuit board.An upper molded resin compound covering the upper printed circuit boardhaving the second chips is disposed.

Discrete devices, which is disposed on the board body to be spaced apartfrom the stack-type semiconductor packages, may be further included.

The discrete devices may include at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a register, a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, aprogrammable device, and a non-volatile memory device.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the generalinventive concept may also be achieved by providing a stack-typesemiconductor package including a plurality of chip packages to stackone each other, a plurality of ball lands and via holes corresponding tothe ball lands on one of the plurality of chip packages, and a pluralityof solder balls on an other of the plurality of chip packages tocorrespond with the via holes on the one chip package, wherein thecorresponding solder balls and via holes engage each other to formconnection conductors.

The connection conductors may be formed by reflowing the solder balls tofill the via holes.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the generalinventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method of forminga stack-type semiconductor package, the method including forming aplurality of ball lands and via holes corresponding to the ball lands ona chip package, forming a plurality of solder balls on an other chippackage to correspond with the via holes on the one chip package,engaging the via holes of the chip package and the corresponding solderballs of the other chip package with each other, and reflowing thesolder balls to fill the corresponding via holes to form connectionconductors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and utilities of the present generalinventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated fromthe following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a mold to form a lower moldedresin compound in a method of forming a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept.

FIGS. 3A to 3E are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ of FIG.1, illustrating a method of forming a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of forming astack-type semiconductor package according to other example embodimentsof the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of forming astack-type semiconductor package according to still other exampleembodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mold to form a lower molded resincompound in a method of forming a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to still other example embodiments of the present generalinventive concept.

FIGS. 6A to 6E are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ of FIG.1, illustrating a method of forming a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to still other example embodiments of the present generalinventive concept.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electric systemincluding a stack-type semiconductor package according to exampleembodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a memory module, on which astack-type semiconductor package is mounted, according to exampleembodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming a stack-typesemiconductor package according to an embodiment of the present generalinventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present general inventive concept will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexample embodiments of the general inventive concept are illustrated.This general inventive concept may, however, be embodied in differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodimentsset forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so thatthis disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of the general inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Inthe drawings, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated forclarity. Also, when it is referred that a layer is “on” another layer ora substrate, it may be directly formed on another layer or the substrateor a third layer may be interposed therebetween.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the likeelements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order toexplain the present general inventive concept by referring to thefigures.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a lower printed circuit board of astack-type semiconductor package according to example embodiments of thepresent general inventive concept, and FIG. 2 is a perspective viewillustrating a mold to form a lower molded resin compound in a method offorming a stack-type semiconductor package according to exampleembodiments of the present general inventive concept. Also, FIG. 3A to3E are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1,illustrating a method of forming a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A, a method of forming a stack-typesemiconductor package according to example embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept includes preparing a lower printed circuitboard 100 including a plurality of interconnections 100 a and aplurality of ball lands 100 b for connection on an upper surfacethereof. The lower printed circuit board 100 may further include lowerpads 100 c on a lower surface. One or more first chips 105 that aresequentially stacked are mounted on the upper surface of the lowerprinted circuit board 100. Backside surfaces of the first chips 105 maybe in contact with an upper surface of the lower printed circuit board100 by an adhesive 106. Sequentially, pads of the first chips 105 may beelectrically connected to the plurality of interconnections 100 a formedon the lower printed circuit board 100 through wires 107. Alternatively,the first chips 105 may be electrically connected to the lower printedcircuit board 100 in a flip-chip structure.

A mold M1 having a plurality of pins P1 illustrated in FIG. 2 is coveredon the lower printed circuit board 100 having the first chips. The moldM1 having the plurality of pins P1 may be fabricated such that the balllands 100 b for connection are aligned with the pins P1. Accordingly,the pins P1 can be in contact with the ball lands 100 b for connectionof the lower printed circuit board 100, respectively. The pins P1 mayhave a circular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal or diamond shape whenviewed from a plan view. Also, when viewed from a cross-sectional view,the pins P1 may have a shape of a rectangle or a reversed trapezoid.Cylindrical pins P1 are illustrated in FIG. 3 as an example embodimentof the present general inventive concept. A plate of the mold M1 mayhave a planar surface or a recessed region between the pins P1.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3B, a molten lower molded resin compound 110may be injected into one side of the mold M1. The molten lower moldedresin compound 110 may include an epoxy molded compound or liquid epoxy.The molten lower molded resin compound 110 may flow in an oppositedirection where the molten lower molded resin compound 110 is injectedto fill spaces between the lower printed circuit board 100 and the moldM1. Here, air can go out through the vent. The molten lower molded resincompound 110 fills every empty space between the pins P1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3C, the molten lower molded resin compound 110may be hardened to form a hard lower molded resin compound 110′. The,the mold M1 having the pins P1 may be removed. As a result, via holes110 h passing through the lower molded resin compound 110′ and exposingeach of the balls lands 100 b for connection of the lower printedcircuit board 100 may be formed. The shape of the via holes 110 h may bedetermined depending on a shape of the pins P1. The lower molded resincompound 110′ may be formed to have a planar upper surface.Alternatively, when the mold M1 has a recessed region, an upper surfaceof the lower molded resin compound 110′ may be formed to have a stepdifference. In particular, upper region of the lower molded resincompound 110′ corresponding to the first chips 105 may be formed to haveupper surfaces higher than other regions.

Electrodes E1 may be formed on the lower pads 100 c of the lower printedcircuit board 100. The electrodes E1 may be formed of solder balls. Thelower printed circuit board 100, the first chips 105, and the lowermolded resin compound 110′ may constitute a lower chip package PK1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3D, an upper chip package PK2, under whichupper solder balls 125 are attached, is aligned on the lower moldedresin compound 110′ so that the solder balls 125 correspond to the viaholes 110 h, respectively. A formation of the upper chip package PK2 mayinclude preparing an upper printed circuit board 111 including lowerpads 111 c and interconnections 111 a. Sequentially, one or more secondchips 115 that are electrically connected to the upper printed circuitboard 111 and sequentially stacked may be formed on the upper printedcircuit board 111.

Backside surfaces of the second chips 115 may be in contact with anupper surface of the upper printed circuit board 111 through adhesives116. Then, pads of the second chips 115 may be electrically connected tothe plurality of interconnections 111 a formed on the upper printedcircuit board 111 through wires 117. Alternatively, the second chips 115may be electrically connected to the upper printed circuit board 111 ina flip-chip structure. An upper molded resin compound 120 covering theupper printed circuit board 111 having the second chips 115 may beformed. The upper solder balls 125 that are respectively in contact withthe lower pads 111 c may be formed. The upper solder balls 125 may beformed of a material containing tin (Sn).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3E, the upper solder balls 125 may be reflownto form connection conductors 125′ filling the via holes 110 h. Thelower chip package PK1 and the upper chip package PK2 are electricallyconnected to each other by the connection conductors 125′, so that astack-type semiconductor package having a POP structure can be formed.The upper chip package PK2 may be in direct contact with an uppersurface of the lower molded resin compound 110′ of the lower chippackage PK1 depending on an amount of the upper solder balls 125.Alternatively, when the amount of the upper solder balls is sufficientto fill the via holes 110 h and to remain, the upper chip package PK2may be disposed to be spaced apart from the upper surface of the lowermolded resin compound 110′.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, example embodiments of the present generalinventive concept may further include stacking one or more intermediatechip packages PK1.5 between the lower chip package PK1 and the upperchip package PK2 using connection conductors 125″.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, in the example embodiments ofthe present general inventive concept, first chips 105′ may beelectrically connected to the printed circuit board 100 in the flip-chipstructure. Furthermore, the cross-sectional view of a connectionconductor 125″′ filling a via hole 110′ may be formed in a shape of areversed trapezoid.

As described above, the present embodiment has a structure, in which thelower molded resin compound 110′ of the lower chip package PK1 coversthe lower printed circuit board 100 other than the regions of the balllands 100 b for connection, and as illustrated in FIG. 4B, a side gatetransfer mold method may be applied to the present embodiment.Therefore, a problem in the conventional top gate mold method, in whichthe molded resin compound is applied to the chip region only, i.e., alimit of air-vent design can be overcome in the present generalinventive concept.

Moreover, when the upper chip package PK2 is stacked on the lower chippackage PK1, the upper solder balls 125 of the upper chip package PK2are mounted on the via holes 110 h of the lower chip package PK1, sothat a stack defect caused by misalign may be prevented. Also, the uppersolder balls 125 are reflown to fill the via holes 110 h and the upperchip package PK2 and the lower chip package PK1 are bonded by theconnection conductors 125′, so that ball bridge and joint crack defects,which are caused by solder balls in the conventional art, can beprevented.

Further, when the lower printed circuit board 100 becomes thin in orderto lower the POP thickness, in the conventional art, the molded resincompound covers only a center portion of the lower chip package, andthus pattern crack phenomena occur at an edge region of the molded resincompound due to stress during a bending test in an assembly and testprocess. However, in the present embodiment, since the overall lowerprinted circuit board 100 is covered with the molded resin compound110′, resistance to stress that is caused during the bending test can beobtained. Accordingly, thin thickness of the lower printed circuit board100 can implement the POP structure having a thin profile.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mold to form a lower molded resincompound in a method of forming a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to other example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept. Also, FIGS. 6A to 6E are cross-sectional views taken along lineI-I′ of FIG. 1, illustrating a method of forming a stack-typesemiconductor package according to other example embodiments of thepresent general inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6A, a method of forming a stack-typesemiconductor package according to example embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept includes preparing a lower printed circuitboard 200 having a plurality of interconnections 200 a and a pluralityof ball lands 200 b for connection on an upper surface thereof. Thelower printed circuit board 200 may further include lower pads 200 c ona lower surface. One or more first chips 205 that are sequentiallystacked are mounted on the upper surface of the lower printed circuitboard 200. The first chips 205 may be electrically connected to theplurality of interconnections 200 a formed on the lower printed circuitboard 200 in a flip-chip structure. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 3A, pads of the first chips 205 may be electrically connected tothe plurality of interconnections 200 a formed on the lower printedcircuit board 200 through wires.

A mold M2 having a plurality of pins P2 illustrated in FIG. 5 is coveredon the lower printed circuit board 200 having the first chips 205. Themold M2 having a plurality of pins P2 may be fabricated such that theball lands 200 b for connection of the lower printed circuit board 200are aligned with the pins P2. Accordingly, the pins P2 can be in contactwith the ball lands 200 b for connection of the lower printed circuitboard 200, respectively. The pins P2 may have a circular, oval,rectangular, hexagonal or diamond shape when viewed from a plan view.Also, when viewed from a cross-sectional view, the pins P2 may have ashape of a rectangle or a reversed trapezoid. Cylindrical pins P2 areillustrated in FIG. 5 as an example embodiment of the present generalinventive concept. A plate of the mold M2 may have a recessed region Rbetween the pins P2. Alternatively, the plate of the mold M2 may have aplanar surface. In the present example embodiment, the plate of the moldM2 is fabricated to have a recessed region R between the pins P2, and asillustrated in FIG. 6, a recessed region R may be aligned on the firstchips 205.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6B, a molten lower molded resin compound 210may be injected into one side of the mold M2. The molten lower moldedresin compound 210 may include an epoxy molded compound or liquid epoxy.The molten lower molded resin compound 210 may flow in an oppositedirection where the molten lower molded resin compound 210 is injectedto fill spaces between the lower printed circuit board 200 and the moldM2. Here, air can go out through the vent. The molten lower molded resincompound 210 fills every empty space between the pins P2 and therecessed region R.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6B and 6C, the molten lower molded resin compound210 may be hardened to form a hard lower molded resin compound 210′.The, the mold M2 having the pins P2 and the recessed region R may beremoved. As a result, via holes 210 h passing through the lower moldedresin compound 210′ and exposing each of the balls lands 200 b forconnection of the lower printed circuit board 200 may be formed. A shapeof the via holes 210 h may be determined depending on a shape of thepins P2. An upper surface of the lower molded resin compound 210′ may beformed to have a step difference by the recessed region R of the moldM2. In particular, upper region 210 r of the lower molded resin compound210′ corresponding to the first chips 205 may be formed to have uppersurfaces higher than other regions.

Electrodes E2 may be formed to be in contact with the lower pads 200 cof the lower printed circuit board 200. The electrodes E2 may be formedof solder balls. The lower printed circuit board 200, the first chips205, and the lower molded resin compound 210′ may constitute a lowerchip package PK3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6D, the solder balls 125 of an upper chippackage PK2, under which the upper solder balls 125 are mounted, may bealigned to correspond to the via holes 210 h of the low chip packagePK3, respectively. A formation of the upper chip package PK2 may includepreparing an upper printed circuit board 111 including lower pads 111 cand interconnections 111 a. Sequentially, one or more second chips 115,which are electrically connected to the upper printed circuit board 111and sequentially stacked, may be formed on the upper printed circuitboard 111.

Backside surfaces of the second chips 115 may be in contact with anupper surface of the upper printed circuit board 111 through adhesives116. Then, pads of the second chips 115 may be electrically connected tothe plurality of interconnections 111 a formed on the upper printedcircuit board 111 through wires 117. Alternatively, the second chips 115may be electrically connected to the upper printed circuit board 111 ina flip-chip structure. An upper molded resin compound 120 covering theupper printed circuit board 111 having the second chips 115 may beformed. The upper solder balls 125 may be formed on the lower pads 111c, respectively. The upper solder balls 125 may be formed of a materialcontaining Sn.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6E, the upper solder balls 125 may be reflownto form connection conductors 225′ filling the via holes 210 h. Astack-type semiconductor package having the POP structure, in which thelower chip package PK3 and the upper chip package PK2 are electricallyconnected to each other by the connection conductors 225′, may beformed. The upper chip package PK2 may be in direct contact with anupper surface of the lower molded resin compound 210′ of the lower chippackage PK3 depending on an amount of the upper solder balls 125.Alternatively, when an amount of the upper solder balls 125 issufficient to fill the via holes 210 h, and thus remains, the upper chippackage PK2 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the upper surface ofthe lower molded resin compound 210′.

As described above, the present embodiment has a structure, in which thelower molded resin compound 210′ of the lower chip package PK3 coversthe lower printed circuit board 200 other than the regions of the balllands 200 b for connection, and as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a side gatetransfer mold method may be applied to the present embodiment.Therefore, a problem in the conventional top gate mold method, in whichthe molded resin compound is applied to the chip region only, i.e., alimit of air-vent design can be overcome in the present embodiment.

Moreover, when the upper chip package PK2 is stacked on the lower chippackage PK3, the upper solder balls 125 of the upper chip package PK2are mounted on the via holes 210 h of the lower chip package PK3, sothat stack defects caused by misalign may be prevented. Also, the uppersolder balls 125 are reflown to fill the via holes 210 h and the upperchip package PK2 and the lower chip package PK1 are bonded by theconnection conductors 225′ so that ball bridge and joint crack defects,which are caused by solder balls in the conventional art, can beprevented.

Further, when the lower printed circuit board 200 becomes thin in orderto lower the POP thickness, in the conventional art, the molded resincompound covers only a center portion of the lower chip package, andthus pattern crack phenomena occur at an edge region of the molded resincompound due to stress during a bending test in an assembly and testprocess. However, in the present embodiment, since an overall lowerprinted circuit board 200 is covered with the molded resin compound210′, resistance to stress that is caused during the bending test can beobtained. Accordingly, thin thickness of the lower printed circuit board200 implements the POP structure having a thin profile.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3E, a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept will be described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3E, a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept includes a lower printed circuit board 100 having a plurality ofinterconnections 100 a and a plurality of ball lands 100 b forconnection on an upper surface thereof. The lower printed circuit board100 may further include lower pads 100 c on a lower surface thereof. Oneor more first chips 105 that are sequentially stacked are disposed onthe lower printed circuit board 100. Backside surfaces of the firstchips 105 may be in contact with an upper surface of the lower printedcircuit board 100 through an adhesive 106. Sequentially, pads of thefirst chips 105 may be electrically connected to the plurality ofinterconnections 100 a disposed on the lower printed circuit board 100through wires 107. Alternatively, the first chips 105 may beelectrically connected to the lower printed circuit board 100 in aflip-chip structure.

A lower molded resin compound 110′ is disposed on the lower printedcircuit board 100 to cover the first chips 105. The lower molded resincompound 110′ may include an epoxy molded compound. The lower moldedresin compound 110′ may include a planar upper surface. Alternatively,the upper surface of the lower molded resin compound 110′ may have astep difference. In particular, upper region of the lower molded resincompound 110′ corresponding to the first chips 105 may be formed to haveupper surfaces higher than other regions.

Connection conductors 125′ passing through the lower molded resincompound 110′ to be in contact with the ball lands 100 b for connectionmay be disposed. The connection conductors 125′ are disposed to fill viaholes 110 h that pass through the lower molded resin compound 110′ andexpose the ball lands 100 b for connection. The connection conductors125′ may have a circular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal or diamond shapewhen viewed from a plan view. Also, the connection conductors 125′ mayhave a shape of a rectangle or a reversed trapezoid. The connectionconductors 125′ may be a material containing Sn.

Electrodes E1 may be disposed to be in contact with the lower pads 100 cof the lower printed circuit board 100. The electrodes E1 may have asolder ball structure. The lower printed circuit board 100, the firstchips 105, and the lower molded resin compound 110′ may constitute alower chip package PK1.

An upper chip package PK2 that is in contact with an upper surface ofthe connection conductor 125′ is disposed on the lower chip package PK1.The upper chip package PK2 may include an upper printed circuit board111 having lower pads 111 c and interconnections 111 a. The connectionconductors 125′ may be in direct contact with the lower pads 111 c ofthe upper chip package PK2.

One or more second chips 115, which are electrically connected to theupper printed circuit board 111 and sequentially stacked, may bedisposed on the upper printed circuit board 111. Backside surfaces ofthe second chips 115 may be in contact with an upper surface of theupper printed circuit board 111 through adhesives 116. Then, pads of thesecond chips 115 may be electrically connected to the plurality ofinterconnections 111 a formed on the upper printed circuit board 111through wires 117. Alternatively, the second chips 115 may beelectrically connected to the upper printed circuit board 111 in aflip-chip structure. An upper molded resin compound 120 covering theupper printed circuit board 111 having the second chips 115 may bedisposed.

A stack-type semiconductor package having a POP structure, in which thelower chip package PK1 and the upper chip package PK2 are electricallyconnected to each other by the connection conductors 125′, may beformed. The upper chip package PK2 may be in direct contact with anupper surface of the lower molded resin compound 110′ of the lower chippackage PK1. Alternatively, the upper chip package PK2 may be disposedto be spaced apart from the upper surface of the lower molded resincompound 110′.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, in example embodiments of the present generalinventive concept, one or more intermediate chip packages PK1.5 may beelectrically connected and stacked between the lower chip package PK1and the upper chip package PK2 by intermediate connection conductors125″.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, in the example embodiments ofthe present general inventive concept, first chips 105′ may beelectrically connected to the printed circuit board 100 in the flip-chipstructure. Furthermore, a cross section of a connection conductor 125″′filling a via hole 110′ may have the shape of a reversed trapezoid.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 6E, a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to other example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept will be described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6E, a stack-type semiconductor packageaccording to the example embodiments of the present general inventiveconcept includes a lower printed circuit board 200 having a plurality ofinterconnections 200 a and a plurality of ball lands 200 b forconnection on an upper surface thereof. The lower printed circuit board200 may further include lower pads 200 c on a lower surface thereof. Oneor more first chips 205 that are sequentially stacked may be disposed onthe lower printed circuit board 200. Pads of the first chips 205 may beelectrically connected to the plurality of interconnections 200 adisposed on the lower printed circuit board 200 in a flip-chipstructure. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, the pads of thefirst chips 205 may be electrically connected to the plurality ofinterconnections 200 a disposed on the lower printed circuit board 200through wires.

A lower molded resin compound 210′ may be disposed on the lower printedcircuit board 200 to cover the first chips 205. The lower molded resincompound 210′ may include an epoxy molded compound. An upper surface ofthe lower molded resin compound 210′ may have a step difference. Inparticular, upper regions 210 r of the lower molded resin compound 210′corresponding to the first chips 205 may have upper surfaces higher thanother regions. Alternatively, the lower molded resin compound 210′ mayhave a planar upper surface.

Connection conductors 225′ in contact with the ball lands 200 b forconnection through the lower molded resin compound 210′ are disposed.The connection conductors 225′ may be disposed to fill via holes 210 h,which pass through the lower molded resin compound 210′ and expose theball lands 200 b for connection. The connection conductors 225′ mayextend upward. The connection conductors 225′ may have a circular, oval,rectangular, hexagonal or diamond shape when viewed from a plan view.Also, the connection conductors 225′ may have the shape of a rectangleor a reversed trapezoid. The connection conductors 225′ may be formed ofa material containing Sn.

Electrodes E2 may be disposed to be in contact with the lower pads 200 cof the lower printed circuit board 200. The electrodes E2 may have asolder ball structure. The lower printed circuit board 200, the firstchips 205, and the lower molded resin compound 210′ may constitute alower chip package PK3.

An upper chip package PK2 that is in contact with upper surfaces of theconnection conductors 225′ may be disposed on the lower chip packagePK3. The upper chip package PK2 may include an upper printed circuitboard 111 having lower pads 111 c and interconnections 111 a. Theconnection conductors 225′ may be in direct contact with the lower pads111 c of the upper chip package PK2.

One or more second chips 115, which are electrically connected to theupper printed circuit board 111 and sequentially stacked on the upperprinted circuit board 111, may be disposed on the upper printed circuitboard 111. Backside surfaces of the second chips 115 may be in contactwith an upper surface of the upper printed circuit board 111 throughadhesives 116. Then, pads of the second chips 115 may be electricallyconnected to the plurality of interconnections 111 a formed on the upperprinted circuit board 111 through wires 117. Alternatively, the secondchips 115 may be electrically connected to the upper printed circuitboard 111 in a flip-chip structure. An upper molded resin compound 120covering the upper printed circuit board 111 having the second chips 115may be disposed.

A stack-type semiconductor package having a POP structure, in which thelower chip package PK3 and the upper chip package PK2 are electricallyconnected to each other by the connection conductors 225′, may beformed. The upper chip package PK2 may be in direct contact with anupper surface of the lower molded resin compound 210′ of the lower chippackage PK3 or the upper chip package PK2 may be disposed to be spacedapart from the upper surface of the lower molded resin compound 210′.

One or more intermediate chip packages (not illustrated) may beelectrically connected to each other and stacked between the lower chippackage PK3 and the upper chip package PK2 by an intermediate connectionconductor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electric systemincluding a stack-type semiconductor package according to exampleembodiments of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 7, the electric system 300 includes one or morestack-type semiconductor packages 303 and a processor 305 connected tothe stack-type semiconductor package 303. Here, the stack-typesemiconductor package 303 may include the stack-type semiconductorpackage, which is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3E, 4A, 4B, and6E. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, a lower chip package PK1, anintermediate chip package PK1.5, and an upper chip package PK2 may beelectrically connected to each other through connection conductors 125′and 125″. The lower chip package PK1 may be a logic package, and theintermediate chip package PK1.5 and the upper chip package PK2 may bememory packages.

The electronic system 300 may correspond to a portion of a notebookcomputer, a digital camera, MP3, or a cellular phone. In this case, theprocessor 305 and the stack-type semiconductor package 303 may beinstalled on a board, and the stack-type semiconductor package 303 mayfunction as data storage media to execute the processor 305.

The electronic system 300 may exchange data with other electric systemssuch as personal computers or computer networks through an input/output(I/O) unit 307. The input/output unit 307 may provide data with aperipheral bus line of a computer, a high-speed digital transmissionline or a wireless transmission/reception antenna. The datacommunication between the processor 305 and the stack-type semiconductorpackage 303, and the data communication between the processor 305 andthe input/output unit 307 may be established using general busarchitectures.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a memory module, in which astack-type semiconductor package is mounted according to exampleembodiments of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 8, the memory module includes a board body 11including a plurality of tabs 13 and a stack-type semiconductor package15, which is mounted on the board body 11 in an array of two or morecolumns. Here, the stack-type semiconductor package 303 may include astack-type semiconductor package, which is described with reference toFIGS. 1, 3E, 4A, 4B and 6E. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, alower chip package PK1, an intermediate chip package PK1.5, and an upperchip package PK2 are electrically connected to each other throughconnection conductors 125′ and 125″. The lower chip package PK1 may be alogic package, and the intermediate chip package PK1.5 and the upperchip package PK2 may be memory packages.

Discrete devices 17 may be mounted on the board body 11. The discretedevices 17 may include at least one selected from the group consistingof a register, a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, a programmabledevice, and a non-volatile memory device.

The memory module may be adapted as a data storage device of a pluralityof electric systems such as personal computers, system servers, andcommunication devices. The memory module may be electrically connectedto an external connector through the tabs 13 mounted on the board body11.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming a stack-typesemiconductor package according to an embodiment of the present generalinventive concept. Referring to FIG. 9, in operation S910, ball landsand via holes corresponding to the ball lands are formed on a chippackage. In operation S920, solder balls are formed on an other chippackage to correspond with the via holes on the one chip package. Inoperation S930, the via holes of the chip package and the correspondingsolder balls of the other chip package engage with each other. Inoperation S940, the solder balls to fill the corresponding via holes arereflown to form connection conductors.

According to the present embodiment, a lower molded resin compound of alower chip package covers a lower printed circuit board other than theregions of the ball lands for connection, and thus, a side gate transfermold method may be applied to the present molding method. Therefore, aproblem in the conventional top gate mold method, in which the moldedresin compound is applied to the chip region only, i.e., a limit ofair-vent design is overcome.

Moreover, when an upper chip package is stacked on a lower chip package,solder balls of the upper chip package are mounted on via holes of thelower chip package, so that a stack defect caused by misalign may beprevented. Furthermore, the solder balls are reflown to fill the viaholes and the upper chip package and the lower chip package are bondedby connection conductors, so that ball bridge and joint crack defects,which are caused by solder balls in the conventional art, can beprevented.

In addition, when the lower printed circuit board becomes thin in orderto lower the POP thickness, in the conventional art, the molded resincompound covers only a center portion of the lower chip package, andthus pattern crack phenomena occur at an edge region of the molded resincompound due to stress during a bending test in an assembly and testprocess. However, in various embodiments of the present generalinventive concept, since the overall lower printed circuit board iscovered with the molded resin compound, resistance to stress that iscaused during the bending test can be obtained. Accordingly, thinthickness of the lower printed circuit board can implement the POPstructure having a thin profile.

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept have beendisclosed herein and, although specific terms are employed, they areused and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent general inventive concept as set forth in the following claims.

1. A stack-type semiconductor package, comprising: a lower printedcircuit board comprising interconnections and ball lands on an uppersurface of the lower printed circuit board; a flip-chip mounted on theupper surface of the lower printed circuit board and electricallyconnected to the lower printed circuit board; a lower resin compounddisposed on the lower printed circuit board to surround the flip-chip;an upper printed circuit board disposed on the lower printed circuitboard, the upper printed circuit board comprising lower pads on a lowersurface of the upper printed circuit board and interconnections on anupper surface of the upper printed circuit board; via holes formed inthe lower resin compound, each of the via holes exposing each of theball lands and having a top portion adjacent to the upper printedcircuit board and a bottom portion adjacent to the lower printed circuitboard, and solder balls disposed in the via holes, each of the solderballs disposed on each of the ball lands of the lower printed circuitboard and being in contact with each of the lower pads of the upperprinted circuit board, wherein a size of the top portion of one of viaholes is larger than a size of the bottom portion of the respective viahole.
 2. The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein a majorityportion of each solder ball is disposed in the respective via hole. 3.The semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein each of the solder ballshas a first portion not surrounded by the lower resin and a secondportion surrounded by the lower resin.
 4. The semiconductor package ofclaim 3, wherein the first portion and the second portion have asubstantially same solder ball composition.
 5. The semiconductor packageof claim 4, wherein the substantially same solder ball compositioncomprises a substantially same Sn composition in the first portion andthe second portion.
 6. The semiconductor package of claim 3, furthercomprises: a semiconductor chip mounted on the upper surface of theupper printed circuit board, and an upper resin compound covering thesemiconductor chip and the upper surface of the upper printed circuitboard, wherein the lower printed circuit board, the flip-chip and thelower resin compound constitute a lower chip package, and the upperprinted circuit board, the semiconductor chip, and the upper resincompound constitute an upper chip package, wherein the upper chippackage are electrically connected to the lower chip package.
 7. Thesemiconductor package of claim 6, further comprising a plurality ofsolder balls disposed on a lower surface opposite to the upper surfaceof the lower printed circuit board.
 8. The semiconductor package ofclaim 6, wherein the lower resin compound has a planar upper surface. 9.The semiconductor package of claim 6, wherein a width of one of thesolder balls corresponding to the top portion of one of the via holes islarger than a width of the respective solder ball corresponding to thebottom portion of the respective via hole.
 10. The semiconductor packageof claim 6, wherein the lower package is a logic package and the upperpackage is a memory package.
 11. A stack-type semiconductor package,comprising: a lower printed circuit board comprising interconnectionsand ball lands on an upper surface of the lower printed circuit board; aflip-chip mounted on the upper surface of the lower printed circuitboard and electrically connected to the lower printed circuit board; alower resin compound disposed on the lower printed circuit board tosurround the flip-chip; an upper printed circuit board disposed on thelower printed circuit board, the upper printed circuit board comprisinglower pads on a lower surface of the upper printed circuit board andinterconnections on an upper surface of the upper printed circuit board;via holes formed in the lower resin compound, each of the via holesexposing each of the ball lands and having a top portion adjacent to theupper printed circuit board and a bottom portion adjacent to the lowerprinted circuit board, and solder balls disposed in the via holes, eachof the solder balls disposed on each of the ball lands of the lowerprinted circuit board and being in contact with each of the lower padsof the upper printed circuit board, wherein a size of the top portion ofone of via holes is larger than a size of the bottom portion of therespective via hole, wherein one of the solder balls has a first widthcorresponding to the top portion and a second width corresponding to thebottom portion, the first width being larger than the second width. 12.An electronic system including an input/output unit and one or morestack-type semiconductor packages which perform data communication withthe input/output unit, the stack-type semiconductor package, comprising:a lower printed circuit board comprising interconnections and ball landson an upper surface of the lower printed circuit board; a flip-chipmounted on the upper surface of the lower printed circuit board andelectrically connected to the lower printed circuit board; a lower resincompound disposed on the lower printed circuit board to surround theflip-chip; an upper printed circuit board disposed on the lower printedcircuit board, the upper printed circuit board comprising lower pads ona lower surface of the upper printed circuit board and interconnectionson an upper surface of the upper printed circuit board; a semiconductorchip mounted on the upper surface of the upper printed circuit board; anupper resin compound covering the semiconductor chip and the uppersurface of the upper printed circuit board, via holes formed in thelower resin compound, each of the via holes exposing each of the balllands and having a top portion adjacent to the upper printed circuitboard and a bottom portion adjacent to the lower printed circuit board,and solder balls disposed in the via holes, each of the solder ballsdisposed on each of the ball lands of the lower printed circuit boardand being in contact with each of the lower pads of the upper printedcircuit board, wherein a size of the top portion of one of via holes islarger than a size of the bottom portion of the respective via hole,wherein each of the solder balls has a first portion not surrounded bythe lower resin and a second portion surrounded by the lower resin. 13.The electronic system of claim 12, wherein the lower printed circuitboard, the flip-chip and the lower resin compound constitute a lowerchip package, and the upper printed circuit board, the semiconductorchip, and the upper resin compound constitute an upper chip package,wherein the upper chip package are electrically connected to the lowerchip package.
 14. The semiconductor package of claim 13, wherein thelower package is a logic package and the upper package is a memorypackage.
 15. The electronic system of claim 13, further comprising aboard on which the stack-type semiconductor package is mounted.
 16. Theelectronic system of claim 15, further comprising a data bus for datacommunication between the input/output unit and the stack-type package.17. The electronic system of claim 16, further comprising a processormounted on the board, the processor configured to electricallycommunicate with the stack-type semiconductor package.
 18. Theelectronic system of claim 12, further comprising a board body includinga plurality of tabs at one side, wherein at least two of the stack-typesemiconductor packages are mounted on the board body in an array of atleast two columns.
 19. The electronic system of claim 18, furthercomprising at least one discrete device disposed on the board body to bespaced apart from the stack-type semiconductor packages.
 20. Theelectronic system of claim 19, wherein the at least one discrete deviceis selected from the group consisting of a register, a capacitor, aninductor, a resistor, a programmable device, a non-volatile memorydevice and combination thereof.